More Than 200 Cats Seized From Home

June 3, 2006|By Akilah Johnson Staff Writer and Staff Researcher William Lucey contributed to this report.

SUNRISE — Animal care authorities seized more than 200 full-sized, feral cats from a Sunrise home and must return to trap about 40 more, officials said Friday.

All the cats were in poor health, suffering from ailments such as upper respiratory infections and malnourishment, said Tarnell Carroll, spokeswoman for Broward County Animal Care & Regulation.

One cat was dead inside the home in the 4100 block of Northwest 78th Avenue when officers arrived, she said.

"It wasn't a healthy environment," Carroll said. "How could it be with that many cats?"

The cats were too sick and too wild to be adopted and all were euthanized, she said.

Sunrise police first responded to the townhouse in the Red Bridge neighborhood on May 18 when someone called to complain about the foul smell of urine and feces, said police Lt. Roger Torres.

When the officer knocked on Dan and Edna Moore's front door, Dan Moore, 66, said there were about 18 cats inside that stopped using the litter boxes, which caused the smell, Torres said.

The next day, someone else called police and reported close to 200 cats inside the house, Torres said. This time, the officer went inside and saw about 100 felines running around, he said. Officers didn't go inside the first time because Moore told them his wife was sick, Torres said.

Torres said the Moores were in violation of a city ordinance that says Sunrise residents cannot have more than three household pets. It is not known whether they will face charges because the investigation continues, he said.

Animal care officers have made seven trips to the home and removed 212 cats, Carroll said. On Thursday, officers removed 56 and believe about 40 more are hiding out in the town home, she said. To catch those, traps might need to be set up throughout the home, she said.

No one answered the Moores' door Friday, but the overwhelming odor of urine could be smelled from Jessica Ashbridge's front porch, two doors down. The smell has filled the air since she and her husband bought their home in December 2003, she said.

Marilou Alfonso said some days the odor is so strong, you have to hold your nose to walk around the block.

"My back porch, I couldn't sit back there because of the smell," she said. "And when she opens the window, forget it."

Staff Researcher William Lucey contributed to this report.

Akilah Johnson can be reached at akjohnson@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4631.